Sifu is a challenge for those who are just picking up the title. Its realistic combat and unique style can be an adjustment, as can its interesting punishment for multiple player deaths. While the game can be difficult, Sifu does, however, offer shortcuts for those who have progressed to a certain point in a level.

This olive branch to players starts in the first level of the game, Squats. Though this is the first level, getting the shortcut is still a bit of a challenge for players, and they are going to need to master how to parry, dodge and block in Sifu. For Sifu players looking to get the shortcut in the game’s Squats level, this guide is here to help.

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Where to Find the Shortcut & How to Open it

At the beginning of the Squats, players are dropped into an alley, where their character will announce that the way to the warehouse is blocked. From here, players must vault over the metal fence to the right and take out the two NPCs there. Once defeated, players can enter into the apartment building and will find the shortcut door is located in the lobby just inside.

Sifu squats locked door

The only option to unlock this door is to locate the keys later on in the level. In order to move along, head upstairs and fight through about a dozen enemies in this apartment building. At the top level of this building, jump across into a neighboring building where more enemies are waiting. After making it through the first room, players will encounter a hallway with over half a dozen enemies, some of whom are armed.

sifu crowded hallway

This hallway opens up to another area filled with enemies that players need to dispatch in order to progress. The next open area leads to a room with a shrine that can be used to unlock better skills in Sifu. Climb out of this room and on to another open roof section. From this roof, the player can jump through an open glass window and to the next area.

sifu jumping through window mini boss

Players land right into a battle with a challenging NPC that serves as a trainer for avoiding grabs. Once this character has been beaten, enter a hallway with an open elevator. The next area is through the elevator and is once more filled with challenging enemies to take on, but once they have been dispatched, the player has finally arrived at the location of the keys. Unfortunately, this is only part way to Sifu's first boss.

Sifu locked door and key room

Players will find the keys in the door on the left in the next hallway. There are two enemies in the room that this door leads to, and beating them will grant players the keys to this first shortcut in Sifu as well as keys to the metal door blocking their path in the hall.

sifu squats key location

Where Does The Shortcut Put Players?

The shortcut allows players to skip basically everything listed in the previous section. This makes runs through the Squats much faster, but new players will likely want to spend a good deal of time in this area anyway to master Sifu's basics. The doorway in the entrance of the apartment building that serves as the shortcut for this level places players in a new open side road. There are a handful of enemies in this new section, but this shortcut removes over a dozen enemies that players would normally face.

sifu squats shortcut

Once these enemies have been defeated, players will recognize that they are now entering the same factory to which the metal door leads in the previous section. Considering how Sifu's aging and death mechanics work, this shortcut is incredibly helpful for challenging the first boss of Sifu, the Botanist.

Sifu is currently available on PC, PS4, and PS5.

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